The President of Turkey’s Travel Agents’ Association has advised the TRNC government to opt for alternative tourism and emphasised that the island should not be seen just as a gambling destination.
He has offered space at Turkish tourism fairs and promised promotional campaigns and a drive to encourage Turkish Cypriots to take charge of their tourism sector.
“I see the tourism sector like the fire on the barbecue, covered with a layer of ash,” he joked.
Speaking at a lunch at the Merit Hotel organised by the TRNC Ministry of Tourism, Environment and Culture, Basaran Ulusoy thanked his TRNC counterpart, Ersan Kelesoglu, for his invitation.
He promised to speed up their joint tourism drive that aims to up Turkish Visitors indon’t Northern Cyprus this year and promote home tourism, although Mr Kelesoglu does not believe this will happen.
“We must emphasise the cultural heritage and natural beauty of this country and develop niche tourism ,” he said, citing faith tourism and bird-watching holidays as examples.
He also promised support for an education centre for the Turkish Cypriot Travel Agents’Union(KITSAB).
Mr Ulusoy met with the new Minister of Tourism , Environment and Culture, Unal Ustel, and Prime Minister Irsen Kucuk, who announced the formation of a new tourism unit in cabinet changes last week.
Mr Kelesoglu said:”I am working with Mr Ulusoy on schemes to include local people in tourism. We have a lot of work to do . we need infrastructure, education, qualified personnel and to increase our hotel bed capacity.
“I am very hopeful. This year I foresee visitors from England, Italy, Germany, Holland, Poland, Azerbaijan and Iran. I don’t think we will see a big increase in Turkish tourists this year.
Dipkarpaz has been include in the Tourism Masterplan and we are trying to help the small-scale tourism bed and breakfast projects there.”
Related posts:
Tags: alternative tourism Northern Cyprus, bird-watching holidays northern cyprus, citing faith tourism northern cyprus, Merit Hotel kyrenia northern cyprus, Niche tourism northern Cyprus, north cyprus alternative tourism, north cyprus tourism bed and breakfast, north cyprus tourism masterplan, northern cyprus hotel bed capacity, northern cyprus tourism, Northern Cyprus Tourism guide, tourism sector Northern Cyprus, TRNC Ministry of Tourism, Turkey's Travel Agents Association, Turkish tourism fair, turkish visitors northern cyprus